Oasis Engineering (https://www.oasisengineering.co.nz/oasis_home), based in Tauranga, New Zealand, is a world-leading supplier of valves and couplings for the compressed natural gas application solution. They are well-known in New Zealand as a specialist in producing close-tolerance machined parts in difficult materials such as stainless steel and titanium.
Though they have state-of-the-art factories in New Zealand for machining, they still trust skilled workers to assemble some of the tiniest valves with strict performance requirements. Now, they would like us to look into developing a fully-automated assembly system for their stem assembly process – i.e., putting a tiny O-ring onto a nail-sized metal body, without damaging the O-ring.
During the past two years, talented students have developed a feasible prototype of an automated stem assembly system. See video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH_QPR3IKMk
In this year, we expect the students to continue the above 2023 concept and system, with a focus on completing the functional prototype as well as introducing quality checking points as part of the automation process, such that every single stem out from the system has met a set of quality criteria.
You will:
Undergraduate
We from experience know that industry-sponsored projects will require a higher level of engagement and commitment to ensure delivery to the sponsor. This will also present excellent opportunities for gaining insights from real-world needs, career opportunities, and fast personal growth.
Manufacturing Systems (405.870, Lab)